A greener economy, greater employment and more healthy homes are among the hopes and wishes of some Whanganui leaders ahead of the unveiling of the Government's Budget today.
Set to be announced at Parliament at 2pm, the small clues floated by Finance Minister Grant Robertson suggest this year's Budget willagain be focused on the Covid-19 recovery, as well as climate change and child poverty.
Whanganui mayor Hamish McDouall said he hoped the Government used the Budget to play catch-up, not just with debt, but other issues it had also fallen behind on.
"It'll be in some ways a difficult budget. A lot of money was spent last year, and I think there'll be a bit of a catch-up," McDouall said.
"But I think the real issue that needs to be addressed is obviously putting money towards housing, that would be number one. Number two would be putting money towards preparation for massive changes to our emissions."
McDouall said liveable incomes were also quickly becoming one of the biggest issues the country faced.
"I saw a beggar on the street in Whanganui for the first time in a long time the other day. All benefits seeing a rise is important, benefits are well behind where they should be."
That was a view shared by Age Concern Whanganui manager Michelle Malcolm, who said she was hoping for a Budget that delivered for older members of society.
Age Concern Whanganui manager Michelle Malcolm says appropriate housing for older people is something she'd like to see addressed. Photo / Bevan Conley
"I think they need to look at boosting incomes for everyone receiving government assistance. The cost of living is horrendous, and it's grown significantly," Malcolm said.
Housing was also on the agenda for older people, Malcolm said, and with the Whanganui market growing increasingly crowded, some seniors were being left out in the cold.
"What we're seeing at the moment is housing suitable for older people either doesn't exist, or is horrendously expensive. A two bedrooms warm home is what a lot of these older people are looking for.
"Even for a lot of retirement homes and villages, the wait is a few years."
While the Government had pleased many with its recent health reform announcements, there was more work to do, according to one Māori health leader.
Wheturangi Walsh-Tapiata, chief executive/mātaiwhetū of iwi health provider Te Oranganui, said her hope was that the Government would use the Budget to paint a clearer picture of what the new health reforms meant for the country.
"These health reforms are going to be quite critical moving forward. We may well see some early indicators of what those reforms might look like within this Budget.
Te Oranganui mātaiwhetū/chief executive Wheturangi Walsh-Tapiata is hoping to see a more holistic approach to health in the government's health-related budgetary moves. Photo / Bevan Conley
"The other thing from my organisation's perspective is a much heavier focus on prevention and wellbeing, and less about illness. I would be interested in seeing if any of that comes out in the Budget."
From a health perspective, housing was also one of the most fundamental hopes, with Walsh-Tapiata saying that for too long vulnerable people had gone without an adequate place to live.
"It's such a critical issue. In almost every area of our organisation, people will say that housing is key to people's wellness. It's such a critical gap at this point in time."
Whanganui Chamber of Commerce chairwoman Glenda Brown said she hoped the Government continued its focus on economic growth and recovery, as Whanganui bounced back from Covid-19.
"The chamber is expecting to see economic growth to be the main focus. As part of this, accelerated support for businesses to be able to retain employment will be essential as most are still coping/recovering from the effects of lockdown.
"Extended tax relief would be welcomed. With construction being a key sector for economic recovery across New Zealand, investment in this area should also be a focal point of this Budget."
The economy was also a sticking point for Whanganui-based Horizons regional councillor Nicola Patrick, who said Covid-19 had given the Government a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make the economy greener.
Horizons Regional Councillor Nicola Patrick is hoping the Budget provides an opportunity for a green revolution. Photo / Bevan Conley
"My personal view is that I'd love to see a Budget that is around a build-back better concept, or a green reset. It's a fresh way of looking at things. It's a chance to rethink our economy from a low-carbon lens," Patrick said.
"One of the things I'd love to see more attention go into is how we can achieve results for our community through new ways of doing business, such as social enterprise. Iwi and Māori led solutions can also benefit the entire community."
